The Hudson has been getting a lot of attention in Albany lately. 2009 marks 400 years since the explorer Henry Hudson (an Englishman sailing for the Dutch) navigated his ship, The Half Moon, up this river.It's the stuff of history classes. The Hudson was a key to the settlement and development of Albany...a vital part of transportation and trade for centuries to come. And the name Hudson is everywhere...businesses, streets, buildings bear it proudly.
Albany "lost" much of its Hudson River waterfront with the construction of 787 with its labyrinth of ramps, roads, and overpasses. But a century earlier, prominent local citizens had already objected to the loss of access to the River with the building of the handsome Delaware & Hudson Building on Broadway at the foot of State Street.
Now, the Hudson is all but invisible from most parts of downtown, but access has been restored through the creation of the Corning Preserve and Albany Riverfront Park, as well as a pedestrian bridge that connects Maiden Lane with the Preserve.
The above view of the River was taken from the Preserve earlier this summer.
Today, there will be a Quadracentennial celebration called Hudson River Fair down at the Riverfront Park. If I can ever pry myself free of this computer, I'll be there.
For more information on the Fair, see albanyevents.org
I think that cities are becoming more aware of the great resource they have if a river runs nearby. Greenville SC has the Reedy River, a small one with a waterfall downtown that mills used for energy years ago. Once access was opened, downtown exploded with people, shops, and restaurants.
ReplyDeleteAnother old hometown, Lynchburg VA, has the James River and they are beginning revitalization also. It's neat to hear about other towns doing the same!